The Tigers re-signed Leonard to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Leonard was non-tendered last month but is now back in the Detroit organization as a non-roster invitee. The 24-year-old slashed .263/.326/.455 with 10 home runs during an injury-shortened 2024 campaign for Triple-A Toledo and is likely headed back there to start 2025.
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Tigers' Wilmer Flores: Back with Detroit as NRI
Rotowire
The Tigers re-signed Flores to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Flores was non-tendered by the Tigers in November following a 2024 campaign which saw him post a 7.84 ERA while being limited to just 31 innings because of shoulder trouble. The 23-year-old finished the season healthy and was considered a top-100 prospect a couple years ago, so retaining him on a minor-league deal looks like a no-brainer for the Tigers.
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Tigers' Ricky Vanasco: Back in Detroit on MiLB deal
Rotowire
The Tigers re-signed Vanasco to a minor-league contract Tuesday.
Vanasco was non-tendered by Detroit last week but returns to the organization on a minor-league pact. The right-hander spent most of the 2024 season at the Triple-A level, collecting a 2.45 ERA and 48:30 K:BB over 40.1 innings of work.
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Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Agrees to terms for 2025
Rotowire
Ibanez agreed to a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Tigers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.
Ibanez took a step back during his second year with the Tigers, slashing .241/.295/.357 over 244 plate appearances during the regular season. However, the Tigers have deemed his performance worthy of a $633,900 raise from his previous salary. He's expected to remain in a utility role next year.
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Tigers' Bailey Horn: Claimed by Tigers
Rotowire
The Tigers claimed Horn off waivers from the Red Sox on Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
The Red Sox attempted to pass Horn through waivers in an effort to clear space on their 40-man roster, but the 26-year-old southpaw will instead head to Detroit and look to carve out a role. He struggled to the tune of a 6.50 ERA and 1.78 WHIP over 18 big-league innings in 2024, so he'll most likely report to Triple-A Toledo to begin the new season.
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Tigers' Zach McKinstry: Agrees to deal with Detroit
Rotowire
The Tigers and McKinstry avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.65 million contract Friday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
McKinstry had been eligible for salary arbitration for the first time. The 29-year-old slashed just .215/.277/.337 with four home runs and 16 stolen bases over 118 games for the Tigers in 2024. He's slated to fill a utility role again next season.
Tigers' Tarik Skubal: Unanimously wins AL Cy Young Award
Rotowire
Skubal was named the 2024 American League Cy Young Award winner Wednesday.
After turning in a 2.39 ERA and 0.92 WHIP over 192 innings alongside a 228:35 K:BB, Skubal was heavily favored to win the award, and indeed he received all 30 first-place votes. The left-hander is now the fifth pitcher in Tigers history to take home a Cy Young Award -- a list that includes Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer.
The Tigers signed Jones to a minor-league contract Sunday that includes an invitation to spring training, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Jones, 27, has slashed just .198/.257/.278 over parts of four seasons at the big-league level. He does have a career .821 OPS at the Triple-A level and offers defensive versatility with the ability to play second base, third base and all three outfield spots.
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Tigers' Brendan White: Removed from 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Tigers designated White for assignment Tuesday.
White missed most of the 2024 season due to injury, and he most recently underwent an elbow procedure in August. White started throwing sessions at the end of September, but his spot on the 40-man roster was needed for several players that were added Tuesday in order to protect them from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.
The Tigers designated Vanasco for assignment Tuesday.
Vanasco was optioned to Triple-A Toledo in September after making two scoreless appearances for the Tigers out of the bullpen. He made 11 total appearances in Toledo in 2024, allowing just two earned runs across 17 innings. The 26-year-old is being designated for assignment in order to create room for one of the three pitchers being added to the 40-man Tuesday.
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Tigers' Eddys Leonard: Booted from 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Tigers designated Leonard for assignment Tuesday.
Leonard slashed .263/.326/.455 with 10 home runs across 282 plate appearances for Triple-A Toledo in 2024. The Tigers are designating him for assignment to create space for one of the three pitchers being added to the 40-man roster Tuesday.
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Tigers' Tyler Owens: Shielded from Rule 5 Draft
Rotowire
The Tigers selected Owens from Double-A Erie on Tuesday.
Owens started the year with Double-A Frisco for the Rangers, but he was traded to the Tigers in July. He resumed play with Double-A Erie, where he notched a 3.31 ERA in 16.1 innings of work. The 23-year-old is now protected from the Rule 5 Draft.
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Tigers' Tyler Mattison: Joins 40-man
Rotowire
The Tigers selected Mattison from Double-A Erie on Tuesday.
Mattison did not pitch in 2024 due to having UCL reconstruction surgery in March. He is currently expected to return next season, but not until June. His most recent appearances came with Double-A Erie in 2023, where he posted a 1.62 ERA across 22 appearances. The 25-year-old is now protected from the Rule 5 Draft.
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Tigers' Chase Lee: Protected from Rule 5 Draft
Rotowire
The Tigers selected Lee from Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday.
Lee started the 2024 season in Triple-A Round Rock in the Rangers organization before being traded to the Tigers at the end of July. With Triple-A Toledo, the righty posted a 3.27 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 22 innings in 17 appearances. The 26-year-old is now protected from the Rule 5 Draft in December.
